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D AY B Y D AY O F T H E N I L E A J O U R N EY D OW N T H E N I L E Discover the civilisation that flourished along the Nile's banks with our 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. Let your imagination soar as your ship meanders through panoramic desert scenes, fertile farmlands, colourful villages, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, preserving the ancient glory of Egypt's greatest temples, palaces, and tombs. 4 1 . 2 3 ° N , 2 . 0 9 ° E Day 1 & 3 – Cairo Begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, enjoying an overview of Egypt's capital. Visit the Citadel of Salah el Din, home to the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Continue to explore the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, housing over 120,000 items, including Tutankhamun's treasures. Immerse yourself in ancient Egypt by visiting three iconic landmarks. Start at Sakkara, 62 | Viking Explorer Society News Left to right: Interior Ancient Egyptian Museum; Luxor Temple Columns Ruins believed to be the first pyramid built, and admire the enduring Step Pyramid. Continue to explore tombs decorated with Old Kingdom paintings. After lunch, travel to the Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Learn their fascinating history from your guide. Finally, view the famous Sphinx, guarding the tombs and warding off tomb raiders. Day 4 – Luxor Fly to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes on the Nile's east bank. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features colonial hotels and ruins. Visit the Temple of Karnak, with its Hypostyle Hall of 136 columns and a sacred lake. Explore the Luxor Heritage Center, showcasing Egypt's history with interactive displays. Tour the Forsan al-Sama'a Hall and the 3D Show Hall, which houses archaeological pieces from various eras. At the end of your day, visit the library with over 10,000 books on Egyptian history in several languages and a dedicated map room. Day 5 – Qena Known in ancient Egypt as Caene, Qena's location on the Nile River has bolstered its prosperity over millennia. Your morning begins early with breakfast and a motorboat ride across the Nile. Then, take to the sky on an optional shore excursion with an experienced balloonist and guide, rising above the Nile's west bank for spectacular sunrise views. Gentle breezes accompany you as you float over the ancient temples and burial grounds of the Valleys of the Kings and Queens.